Stubborn Fire Continues To Smolder

ELIZABETH – A fire that began at a warehouse on Newark Avenue on Dec. 21 is still smoldering, despite the efforts of Elizabeth firefighters.

According to Fire Department Director Onofrio Vitullo, the blaze is under control and four firefighters are keeping watch on a daily basis to make sure that it stays that way.

Over the weekend, approximately 25 firefighters used a high-powered piece of equipment they call the “Iron Man” – capable of shooting 8,000 gallons of water per minute – to knock out remaining hot spots. While Vitullo said that the operation flooded the basement area of the site, there were still parts that firefighters could not safely reach.

Fire officials are consulting with demolitions crews to determine the best way to safely take down the damaged structure and extinguish any small fires as they are uncovered, Vitullo said.

The blaze at the two million square foot industrial center that was the former home of the Burry Biscuit factory sent up a smoke plume that could be seen miles away on Dec. 22. Firefighters were able to bring it under control by Dec. 24.